[NYTr] Cuban Wetland Implements Measures Against Bird Flu

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN)
http://ainch.ain.cu/mailman/listinfo/ingles


Cuban Wetland Implements Measures Against Bird Flu

Ciego de Avila, Sept 10 (acn)The training of the staff working at the 
Great Wetland located north of the Cuban central province of Ciego de 
Avila is part of the program of actions being carried out throughout 
the island to prevent bird transmitted diseases.

The training aims to fight and diagnose Influenza or bird flu and the 
West Nile Virus that attack wild birds and cause a large number of 
deaths in the state's poultry farms.

Ciego de Avila's Great Wetland, which is also a Ramsar Site, is one of 
the main migratory corridors in Cuba hosting over 20,000 birds in 
danger of extinction.

In statements to acn news agency, professor at the University of 
Camaguey, Osquel Oberto Padilla, said no cases have yet been reported 
in Cuba. However, measures have already been implemented in the island 
to prevent the virus transmission.

Forest rangers and national park rangers have been informed of the 
pathological and clinical symptoms of the virus, so they can identify 
any sick animal in their area. Some of the symptoms are stood-on-end 
plumes, uncoordinated walking and hemorrhage in the articulations.

Padilla pointed out that the direct or indirect contact of local birds 
with foreign migratory birds has been frequently reported as the main 
cause for triggering the epidemics.

Ciego de Avila's Great Wetland takes in the municipalities of Moron, 
Bolivia and Chambas. It includes two hatcheries and a sea platform that 
largely contribute to the development of the fishing industry in the 
island.